Category Archives: New Choice

How To Take A Home Pregnancy Test

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The simple basics of taking a HPT (Home Pregnancy Test) nowadays, really isn’t so simple anymore. There are different types, with different colored dyes, and even different Test Sensitivities. Some with two Lines, some with symbols, and even some that have a screen like a computer! Some you hold in your Urine stream, and some that require you to collect a sample in a clean, sanitary cup. And then once you decide what type of test and which brand – there’s still the uneasiness of interpreting the results correctly. It can definitely be nerve wrecking if you’re new to the game. So, I decided to make a tutorial on all of the different types of tests available and how to make sure you get the most accurate results!

Let’s start off with the different types. One of the most commonly used and most widely available – a Midstream Test!

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Now normally you can hold the absorbent tip in your Urine stream, but I always recommend collecting a sample in a clean, sanitary cup. If you happen to notice that your Urine isn’t concentrated enough – you can dump it and try again later. This way, you can avoid wasting a test. You would simply dip the absorbent tip in the cup and then lay it on a dry, flat surface while you wait on the results.

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A widely popular brand is the First Response Early Results, as it’s easily one of the most sensitive HPT’s on the market today that are 25mIU/ml but can detect as low as 6.5mIU/ml.

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The next most commonly used Tests available is known as a Cassette Test.

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You can often find these in your local dollar store and they’re usually pretty inexpensive. With these, it is necessary to collect a Urine sample in a clean, sanitary cup. You would use the dropper since there’s no absorbent tip and put 3-5 drops in the well, and Keep it on a dry, flat surface as you wait to interpret the results.

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Now this one is probably one of my favorites because not only are they fairly inexpensive – they are very easy to store and do not take up much space! Mostly known as Test Strips, but also known as Dip Sticks or Internet Cheapies.

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These also require you to collect a Urine sample in a clean, sanitary cup. There’s a, “Max Line,” and you shouldn’t dip the test strip past that Line in order to avoid over-saturation. Next, you simply lay it down on a dry, flat surface while waiting on the results.

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Lastly, we have the ever so lovely Digital Test! Absolutely no guessing involved with this one. The only downfall with these is that they Sometimes require a higher concentration of HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) to yield a positive result, so they may not be the best at detecting early Pregnancy.

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These are widely popular and are the most accurate by the first day of your missed period. You can put the absorbent tip in your Urine stream or collect a Urine sample in a clean, sanitary cup. I usually opt to collect a sample with most midstreams, but especially with a digital. If you somehow accidentally splash the top part of the test or even the screen – more than likely you’ll get a user error and that’ll be a big waste of a test, not to mention they can be more expensive, easily burning a whole in your wallet if you’re not careful. Always read the instructions beforehand on how long to hold the absorbent tip in the Urine stream or on how long to dip it into a cup. Lay it on a dry, flat surface and wait on the results. Luckily even after the timeframe you’ll never have to worry about seeing an Evaporation Line!

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Now that we have gone over the different varieties of Tests out there, it’s time to go over the basics. If you’re one of those who are actively TTC (Trying To Conceive) or trying to get pregnant, you may be familiar with the (Charting Basics) and you may also be familiar with the different parts of your cycle. There are ways to track your cycle through, (Basal Body Temperature, Cervical Mucus, and Cervical Position)

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The Follicular Phase is the time from the first day of your period, until Ovulation occurs and is influenced by Estrogen. Estrogen is responsible for lower temps during that part of your cycle. The Luteal Phase is the time from Ovulation until the time your Period arrives and is influenced by Progesterone, which is a heat inducing hormone that keeps your temps elevated. If you get pregnant, progesterone is necessary to help sustain a healthy Pregnancy and as a result you may notice your temps continue to remain elevated because of it. If you can pinpoint your Ovulation, you can also pinpoint the time your period would be due – giving you the benefit and heads up on whether or not your period may actually be late and that may give you the advantage of a more reliable result. Although your Follicular Phase can vary greatly from cycle to cycle, your Luteal Phase shouldn’t change. A normal LP is around 10-16 days in length.

If you notice that you’re late, it’s recommended to start testing. It is optimal to use FMU (First Morning Urine) but if you are unable to do that you can also hold your Urine for a minimal of 3-4 hours while refraining from drinking any beverages. It’s really important because diluted Urine may not contain enough HCG to yield a positive result depending on the sensitivity of the test, and also how far along you may be. Ideally you want your Urine to be dark, such as the color of Apple Juice or even Apple Cider for example.

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One of the best ways to know for sure is by collecting your sample in a clean, sanitary cup. If it doesn’t look concentrated enough, you can always dump it and try again later.

Always, read the instructions carefully before taking the test to avoid any user errors. One of the biggest mistakes is reading a test outside of the timeframe and interpreting the results wrong. Pregnancy Tests are rapid, “assay,” diagnostics so it’s imperative to read them within the allotted time specified on the instructions. Anything that appears outside of the timeframe, (Regardless of color) should be considered invalid and disregarded. A Line that shows up way after the usual 5-10 minute mark, can be considered an (Evaporation Line) and although they’re usually grey or colorless – they can have a bit of Pink or Blue from time to time so don’t be fooled! Evap Lines are self explanatory, they can start to form once the Urine starts to dry on the test and it evaporates. But with that being said, (even if the test is still damp) the chemicals can still change causing some color to appear. Occassionally you can still be pregnant and have slow rising HCG that may Take longer to appear on a test. It’s not unheard of, but is quiet a rarity. I definitely wouldn’t rely on a colored Line appearing outside of the timeframe to be a true positive result! You can always wait a few days and retest if you feel you could still be pregnant. Rule of thumb: Set a timer for the 4-9 mins specified on the test, giving yourself at least 15-30 seconds to read it from the same range you would read a book. If you don’t see a Line, then throw the test away. In fact if you’re anything like me, Take the test outside, run it over a few times with your car, sweep it up and chunk the remains in a dumpster! Whatever you do, just put the pee stick down!

With that being said, once you’ve saturated the test sufficiently with enough Urine, (whether it’s a Midstream, cassette, or test strip) lay it on a flat, dry surface as the dye runs across it. A Control Line should form, indicating that the test is working properly. The chemical reagents on the Control Line will react with just about any liquid, including water. Normally if HCG is present inside of the Urine, as the Urine hits the antibody strip – the chemical reagents will react and a second Line will then start to produce. Any Line regardless of how light or dark it may be, is considered positive if it appears within the timeframe! But also be weary of the dreadful (Indent Line). It’s simply just the antibody strip and no the Tests not defective if that happens – that’s just how they’re made. Rule of thumb, if you have to break the case open and hold it up to 3 or 4 different lights than it’s probably negative. HCG doubles every 48 hours so if you suspect you could still be pregnant, wait a few days and retest! 2 lines is positive, 1 line is negative.

And with a digital you won’t have to interpret any lines whatsoever. It’ll tell you flat out and it’s unmistakable. Once you open up the foil package, that usually starts to activate the test. After the absorbent tip has been put in the Urine stream or dipped for the proper amount of time, lay the test flat on a dry surface – just as you would with any test. You will see a timer appear, and it may flash for a full 3 minutes before displaying the results. If you’re using a Clearblue Weeks Estimator, it may Take an additional 3 minutes to display how many weeks you are.

(SEE THE IN-DEPTH VIDEO TUTORIAL ON HOW TO TAKE A Clearblue Digital Weeks Estimator HERE)

Lastly, (when using a digital) if it says, “Not Pregnant,” please do not proceed to break the case open. Digital Tests work differently than the normal dye Tests and their sensor’s read the Line intensity differently. They almost will always have at least 2 Lines, because they check for LH (Luteinizing Hormone) as well as HCG. Why you ask? I have no clue, but that’s just the way it is.

For a more in-depth tutorial on how to properly and most accurately Take a Home Pregnancy Test, watch the Video below!

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The TRUTH behind Evaporation Lines

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Image: www.wisegeek.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak

 
Being an avid TTC’er (Trying To Conceive) while going through your journey, I’m sure you’ve come across the word evap – which is short for (Evaporation Line) ⇦ which you can get a good look at some actual ones here ★ especially if you’ve joined any support groups. Posting good HPT (Home Pregnancy Test) Pics is ultimately an art form nonetheless and I’ve even created a tutorial on (How to post GOOD HPT Pics) if you ever opt to get a second opinion on the results!

Posting pics can be great, the only downfall is the opinions and advice that ultimately goes along with it. Reading and interpreting results is not as easy as you would think.

First of all, (regardless of what test you’re choosing to take) you have to make sure that you read the instructions carefully beforehand. Not every test is the same, and most errors occur from not doing so. Some tests allow you to hold the absorbent tip in your Urine stream, while other tests require you to collect your Urine in a clean, sanitary cup beforehand. Also, reaction times can differ as well. Most Tests however, specify a certain amount of time to read the results and to disregard the test after that allotted timeframe. When taking a test, a Control Line should appear indicating that the test has been done correctly, and a Test Line will only appear if the Pregnancy hormone HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is present inside of the Urine and has a high enough concentration for that specific test to pick up on as the hormone binds to the chemicals on the antibody strip – causing it to change colors. That would be considered a positive result and would mean that you are in fact pregnant! And Yes, even a very faint Line still means that there’s a presence of HCG in your system, even if it’s a very small amount. A faint Line should not be confused with an EVAP, (Evaporation Line) or an (Indent Line).

The problem is how so many people nowadays seem to misuse the word and throw it around without using it in it’s proper context, or by using the word without knowing it’s true meaning. Either way, I decided to once and for all clarify the term since there seems to be so much confusion behind it.

So, what is an Evap Line? And, how can you tell the difference? The true definition of an Evap sort of speaks for itself – it’s a Line that develops as the Urine evaporates off of the HPT. As the Urine dries, it can cause the antibody strip to appear slightly more visible, and in some cases can actually look like an indentation on the test itself. Most of the time they will appear shadowy, colorless or even grey. In some cases, they can however also develop a little bit of color. Although any Line that may look promising, (especially one with Blue or Pink) if it appears outside of the timeframe it should be considered invalid and disregarded. Since an Evap Line only occurs once the Urine has dried, it’s safe to say that any Line that appears within that allotted timeframe specified on the instructions would be considered a positive result no matter how faint the Line may be. If you’re strict on reading the test only within the timeframe per the manufacturer – the test should still be damp and no Evap Lines will have had time to produce. Most test instructions indicate that a test should not be read after the 3-10 minute time period.

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Image: www.pregnancyandbaby.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak


 
Sometimes after we specify to others a pic we posted was snapped within the recommended timeframe we still come across those that say, “It looks like an Evap to me.” So, what if a faint Line occurs within the timeframe?

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Image: www.pregnancyandbaby.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak


 
Again, more than likely that Evap Line your friend or co-worker thought they saw, really isn’t an Evap Line. Here’s a few examples of some actual Evaps I came across recently.

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Image: www.digitalmuze.net Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak


 
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Image: www.justmommies.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak


 
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Image: www.webanswers.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freaks


 
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Image: www.babybumpapp.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak


 
If it’s a very faint Line, I always highly recommend to take another test in a couple days to track your Line Progression. Every 48 hours during early Pregnancy HCG will double as it should and over the course of a few days – you should start to see your test Lines get a little darker each time you pee on that stick! Of course with that being said, different Tests have different sensitivities that require different concentrations of the HCG in your Urine to produce a positive result. I highly recommend using the same brand and sensitivity to track your progress until you’re levels are high enough to be detected reliably on any test.

ALSO, something I felt I should discuss is the infamous, “Water Trick.” What is that you ask? Well, apparently somewhere along the wonderful internet we came across some topic or forum somewhere – where someone had mentioned that a great way to distinguish the Evap Line from a True Positive Result is by conducting the water trick. You simply put a few drops of water in the same place you would drop Urine and it’ll run across the test cleaning up the icky yellowish dried Urine on the test. This theory states that if it’s an Evap – than the line will wash away leaving the area pristine white again whereas if the line contains dye – then its a true BFP (Big Fat Positive) because any line with color even outside of the time limit MUST be positive according to some. Sorry to say that unfortunately that’s NOT always the case. EVAPS CAN HAVE COLOR and sometimes they DO NOT wash away! Here’s an example of just that, that actually came out of my personal collection recently! The line was very pink, and when I tried the water trick – the line stayed intact. So that myth has been busted! Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. My best advice to you, is to toss the test outside once you’ve established it’s a negative result (within) the timeframe – and then proceed to run it over a few times! After that chunk it in a dumpster! Do whatever you have to do, but put the pee stick down and walk away. You can always retest later if you feel like you could still be pregnant!

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The next controversy we often encounter is the unwanted Indent Line, which is far too common and also can be misinterpreted as a positive result. More often than not, those usually appear outside of the timeframe – but not always! Occasionally they can appear within. But indent Lines unlike EVAP Lines, is simply the antibody strip. Indent Lines are usually completely colorless, or white when they appear within the timeframe. If you see an indent with color, or one with grey, than at that point it can then be considered an Evap if it appeared outside of the time limit. Here’s a few example those:

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Image: www.twoweekwait.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak


 
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Image: www.twoweekwait.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak


 
This however, is how you can distinguish the difference between an antibody strip or indent with the real deal below. The Line is Pink. It can be faint, but just Keep in mind the reagent in the dye binds to the chemicals on the antibody strip as the Urine passes over it when HCG is present. So a good rule of thumb, if it’s white or you need break the case open to see it, (which also makes the test invalid) than more than likely it’s not positive.

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Image: www.community.babycenter.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak


 
One of the main reasons for seeing a False Line, (although rare) – is due to a dye run. That happens when the dye doesn’t run across the test smoothly and can get stuck on certain parts of the test. Whenever that happens, Sometimes it can cause a Line to appear where a true one would have had HCG been detected in the Urine. Although it looks very promising to the naked eye, it’s not considered to be a true positive. It doesn’t mean you’re not pregnant, it just simply means the result is unreliable since it was faulty  and if you suspect that you could still be pregnant, than you need to do yourself a favor and retest. Here’s a good example:

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Image: www.community.babycenter.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak


 
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Then we have the famous, “Disappearing,” Line. Many of us get that confused with a true positive result. Although it, (again) seems promising, it’s not considered legitimate. This Sometimes happens when the dye is not fully finished running across the test. The dye can get stuck or may stall in the correct spot briefly, but then continues moving along. Per Most manufacturers – a true positive result will stay intact for at least 48 hours if not a whole lot longer! I definitely can vouch for that myself. I opted to save my Pregnancy Tests from both of my pregnancies (my son is now 4 and my daughter is 3) and every test Line to this day still remains as vivid as ever!

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Image: www.early-pregnancy-tests.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak


 
And lastly, I feel the need to discuss the odd and unusual, (but not unheard of) test Lines that appear in the wrong spots on our lovely little pee sticks. Yes it happens. Yes it’s more than one Line. Does it mean it’s positive? No. Most of the time it occurs because of a dye run, and Sometimes the test is just faulty. The results should be considered (again) invalid and if you suspect your pregnant you should of course retest.

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Image: www.gaia.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak


 
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Looks very odd, huh? And Yes it happens. But hopefully after reading this You’ll have a much better understanding of this and my goal more than anything else, was to hopefully reduce the phrase, “Evap,” from being so loosely thrown around as if any Line on any given test if faint enough or Maybe not even colorful enough in ones opinion – automatically means just that!

Moral of the story: Evap means that URINE actually EVAPORATED off of the test! And it also will ONLY appear outside of the time limit, so please use caution when using that term.

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How to Take a GOOD visible pic of your HPT

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Usually around the time of your missed period, you can take a HPT (Home Pregnancy Test) and get a reliable result. Some also opt to test early! Around 6-12dpo (Days Past Ovulation) implantation can occur, and a few days after that the HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) can metabolize enough in your Urine stream to then be detected on a HPT. If you’re actively TTC (Trying To Conceive) it can be a pretty exciting time, and you may want to get others opinions on whether or not they see a second Line, once you’ve tested. Many of us are a part of support groups and it’s fun to post pictures. The problem lies when the picture isn’t the best quality, and sometimes it can make it a bit difficult to interpret the results if you’re an outsider looking in. So I decided to make a little tutorial on how to take GOOD pics of your lovely pee sticks!

It’s always good for starters, to take a pic in good lighting! Most of us nowadays have good cell phones with camera’s – that even have a flash!

But – is it always best to use the flash? Simple answer, NO. If you’re using a midstream test that has a splash guard on it, (the clear plastic piece over the results window) the flash will more often than not reflect back and you won’t be able to see the results. Your best option is to turn the flash off. Sometimes though, that can cause another problem. Blurry pics! Here’s a pic that was taken with the flash on. Although it’s not Blurry, you still cannot see the results.

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Here’s a few examples of Blurry pics that will be very hard to interpret unless you have an unmistakable, very vivid, dark Test Line! Please try to refrain from posting these.

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There’s a very simple remedy for that issue! Maybe on your groups forums or posts you’ve noticed objects on or around their Tests and You’ve wondered why? Well – objects make the camera focus! Especially when you turn the flash off. It’s best to put a test in great lighting and an object next to it or even on it. Most with smart phones can even tap the screen to also help focus things. Here’s a few taken the right way! PLEASE (if you opt to post anything) only post pics that are good and visible otherwise it’ll defeat the purpose if you’re trying to get a second opinion.

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Now, I’m going to proceed to show you some other, “Picture Don’ts.” Here we have the ever so popular angled Tests. Unfortunately even in the best of lighting, it’s still very hard to see a second Line this way. Your best bet is to take the pic directly above the Tests!

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Love tweaking? What exactly is tweaking? Well, most of use different apps or graphics programs on our phones nowadays or even on our computers that can put different filters, enhance contrast, saturation, etc. On any pic of a HPT. The idea is to either pull some color on a line that is considered questionable, or to make a line a little more visible. Tweaking is great! The problem lies with over tweaking. And you can do that by using several different methods to try and enhance a test pic. Most don’t even realize though that when you over-tweak, you’re making it even harder to interpret. It can cause way too much pixilization with way too many colors, so if there was a chance to spot a line – there definitely won’t be afterwards. PLEASE, it’s better just to post the original and let the others do the tweaking!

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And of course the invert! If you are going to tweak, I would highly recommend to refrain from doing that. Inverts will make most ANY Line visible including (Indent Lines) and of course the dreadful (Evaporation Lines).

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If you look close enough at the inverted pic up above, you’ll see a Line. Looks promising, doesn’t it? Not so much. That’s an indent. So Yeah.

Even if you can’t test during the day when you’ll have the best lighting available – you can still make your pictures visible. Making sure the camera will focus correctly, and aiming directly right above the test is key!

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SUMMARY OF OUR WONDERFUL TUTORIAL HERE:

– Make sure you have good lighting! (Window seals are perfect for this type of thing)
– Make sure you turn your flash off
– Make sure you have an object on or near the test (to help the camera focus)
– Make sure you Take a pic directly up above the test, and as close to the results window as possible!

IN THE END (Regardless if it’s positive or Negative results) YOU WANT YOUR TEST PICS TO LOOK LIKE THIS!

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Nice, clean, bright and clearly visible! I hope this has helped you and we send Baby Dust to everyone in their TTC journey!

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The BEST Deals on Ovulation Tests and Pregnancy Tests

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If you’re actively TTC (Trying To Conceive) and especially for those of you who are (Charting) your fertility, (Basal Body Temperature, Cervical Mucus, Cervical Position and of course by also using Ovulation Predictor Kits in conjunction with those other primary fertility indicators) – You’re more than likely also wanting to test on or around the time of your expected period! And granted, if you’re an early tester it can get costly. HPT’s (Home Pregnancy Tests) come in all different forms such as Test Strips, Cassette Tests, Midstreams and even Digitals. Most of us are on a budget and I’ve made it my mission to find some of the absolute BEST DEALS that can make it way more affordable to Pee-On-That-Stick!

* PRODUCTS CAN BE PURCHASED OFF OF EBAY & AMAZON *

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DISCLAIMER: These may be limited time offers only! Prices and Shipping Fees are subject to change.

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How Urine Concentration effects OPK Results

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Many of us often opt to start using OPK’s (Ovulation Predictor Kits) to get a heads up on when Ovulation may occur. Our LH (Luteinizing Hormone) levels normally begin to rise just hours prior, and can be measured by using OPK’s. Normally the first true positive result – when the Test Line is equal to or Darker than the Control Line, indicates that Ovulation should be taking place anytime within 12-72 hours. But when using these, how will Urine concentration typically effect those results? It’s always recommended to use highly Concentrated (afternoon) Urine between 2-8pm at the same time everyday! Well, I decided to put it to the test. I dipped one OPK test Strip in Concentrated Urine, and then dipped a second one (same brand) around the same time minus an hour and a ½ in diluted Urine. See what happens next!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHRFh-A7Gt8&w=560&h=315]

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(Evaporation Lines) Home Pregnancy Tests

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I’m sure by now if you’ve started your TTC (Trying To Conceive) journey, you’ve started charting your BBT (Basal Body Temperature), CM (Cervical Mucus), and possibly even your CP (Cervical Position). Some even opt to Take OPK’s (Ovulation Predictor Kits) in conjunction, to verify whether or not you’re in your Fertile Window! Once Ovulation has taken place, you can usually get a reliable result on a HPT (Home Pregnancy Test) when you’ve missed a period. But what does a true positive result look like? It’s highly recommended to read that result within the strict 10 minute window. If a line appears past that time frame, (regardless of color) it’s usually considered an evaporation line, (a line that appears once the urine has dried where a positive line would have appeared had HCG been detected!) which should be discarded. What does an evaporation line look like? I decided to put together a Gallery of actual, “Evaporation Line,” tests, that display both Pink Dye and Blue Dyes, manufactured by different brands!

 

Do you have a Test you would like to submit? Email, Tweet, Post or DM them to us!

*PLEASE INCLUDE whether it’s a Positive, Negative, or Evap Line!

*ALSO – If you have submitted a Test and you notice it’s in the wrong category, PLEASE let us know so we can put it in the right category as soon as possible! Thanks

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WIN FREE OPK’s and HPT’s (Social Media “Like, Subscribe & Share”) Contest!

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It’s that time (for all my fellow Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak’s) Who doesn’t love FREE Home Pregnancy Tests and Ovulation Tests?? I’ve always said, the holidays are about giving, and I would love to give you some great stocking-stuffers, (or you can decide to keep them for yourself ha ha!) But there’s no better way to bring in the New Year than by celebrating with some Baby-Making!

It’s really simple! There are so many ways you can score points. Essentially, you get what you put in! The more time and effort, the better your odds are.

First, Fill out this form and Submit it via Email to:
Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak@Hotmail.com

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-OR- You can also send it via Direct Message on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

RULES TO PARTICIPATE:

– You MUST “Like, Subscribe and Follow,” all of our Social Media Pages (where applicable) in order to QUALIFY.
– SEND PROOF of it, by DM or Tweet, Comment, etc. (Yes – I will be checking!)
– If you Remove yourself as a Fan, Friend, Unfollow, etc. (At anytime) You will immediately disqualify yourself.
– YOU MUST FILL OUT THE FORM COMPLETELY and Submit it!
– Anytime you do Anything to Participate, Promote, Refer, etc. PLEASE DM PROOF FOR TALLY POINTS!
– When you Refer people to our Social Media Pages, they ALSO must, “Like, Subscribe and Follow,” and leave a comment or DM with WHO REFFERED THEM! (Or it won’t count)

Here are ways you can increase your odds of winning!

REFERRING TONS OF PEOPLE:

– The more people you refer, and can get to LIKE & FOLLOW our Social Media Pages the better! (Especially our Facebook Page!)

(HERE ARE OUR SOCIAL MEDIA SIGNS YOU CAN POST TO PROMOTE)

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SITE PROMOTION:

Are you an artist? Make Fan Signs & Post them on YOUR Social Media Accounts! (Hashtag #PeeOnAStickFreak) Not an Artist? No Problem! Re-post our images that promote our Accounts! Regardless of HOW you choose to Promote our Social Media Networks and our Website, POST PROOF! Use the #PeeOnAStickFreak where applicable.

SITE PARTICIPATION:

– We usually have stuff going on! Just recently I started working on Product Reviews. Anytime I post questions, need feedback, or Sometimes even cool ideas for the site, THE MORE YOU PARTICIPATE – THE GREATER YOUR ODDS WILL BE (if of course you’re also participating in the Social Media Promotion)

THINGS YOU CAN PARTICIPATE WITH:

– PRODUCT REVIEWS – Anytime you try various fertility products, give me some feedback! Doesn’t matter what kind. Of course, you can also ADD your feedback as well to some of the Products that have been previously Reviewed.

– TTC “Life Hacks” – Anytime you can think of a way to improve, or substitute a fertility Product, TTC Method, etc. And you’ve had some success with it, SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE! I would love to add that information to our website and maybe even a quote from YOU!

– NEW HPT & OPK EXPERIMENT IDEAS! If you have thought of any new ideas that would make a great experiment, LET ME KNOW!

– SEND IN YOUR PICTURES & VIDEO FOOTAGE SHOWCASING YOUR Positive Pregnancy Tests! I will be making a really cool video compilation with Pictures, Video Footage, combined with music and posting it to our website! Send us a video doing a “Happy Dance” while showing your BFP TEST! SEND US PICS! You may just be in the video displayed on our site!

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS YOU CAN DO! JUST KEEP IN MIND THE MORE EFFORT YOU PUT IN – THE GREATER YOUR ODDS WILL BE! Good Luck!!

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How To TEST with a OPK Test Strip

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How To Test with a OPK

Image: www.eBay.co.uk Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak

 

So you’ve decided to start using OPK’s to help you determine when your BEST chance at Conception is? That’s great! You’re now on your way to maximizing your chances of successfully getting Pregnant. If you haven’t started charting, I highly recommend it!

Although testing with OPK’s (Ovulation Predictor Kits) is a great way to gain some much-needed insight into your Fertility Window – It only Does just that! You’ll need to follow-up with 3 days of sustained higher BBT’s (Basal Body Temperatures) to confirm that Ovulation has in fact taken place. Usually a great indicator (or second fertility sign) of WHEN to start testing with a OPK, is when you start to notice Fertile Cervical Fluid. Usually after Menstruation you’ll notice a bit of Scant, dry, or Sticky CM (Cervical Mucus) if any at all – followed by Creamy or Lotion-Like, and then as Estrogen starts to influence your hormones your CM will begin to thin out! You may start to notice a bit of a watery sensation and that usually will lead to the most fertile type of CM which is categorized as EWCM (Egg White Cervical Mucus) which the name sort of speaks for itself. If you’re not familiar with it, crack open a raw Egg and feel the consistency of the Egg whites! It should be slippery, clear and stretch 1-2 inches between your thumb and your index finger. Sometimes it can also be tinged with Pink, red Blood, or even brown! (That is considered to be amongst the most fertile) so if you happen to notice that type of CM along with a Cervical Position that’s High, Soft and Open – Now’s definitely the time to Test with a OPK! Here’s a Chart that can give you a Good idea as to when (based off of your average cycles) would be a Good time to start!

Cycle Chart

Image: www.conceiveeasy.com

There are 3 types of Tests you can use – “Midstream,” which is very Common at drugstores, “Cassettes,” which are also very Common, “Digitals,” and then lastly our Internet Cheapies, (also known as) “Test Strips,” which is what we are talking about today. They’re by far less expensive simply because you’re not paying for the fancy container they come in.

WIN FREE HPT'S & OPK'S BY "LIKING", AND FOLLOWING US ON Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!

Image: www.fertilityties.com Image: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak

Now with the most effective Test date being determined with your other secondary fertility signs – It’s also important to understand how to PREPARE for testing!

Unlike Pregnancy Tests that usually are taken with FMU (First Morning Urine) especially with possible Early Pregnancy – It is HIGHLY recommended to use Afternoon Urine when testing with a OPK, usually between the hours of 2-8pm and at the SAME TIME EVERYDAY! Why you ask? Because the LH (Luteinizing Hormone) in FMU usually isn’t metabolized enough, and can therefore give you a False Negative! (Which of course if you’re actively Trying To Get Pregnant you definitely don’t want that) essentially it can cause you to possibly miss your Surge. (When dipping your Test Strip there is a black line that says, “Max Line,” it’s always best not to dip your Test past that line to avoid over-saturation of the Test)

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Image: www.naturalfertilityshop.com

So what is a LH Surge? Well, LH tends to flow through our bodies at all times. Just a few days prior to Ovulation the LH Hormone starts to increase to a higher concentration (thus as we call the “Surge”) and that higher concentration of LH can then be measured by a OPK.

Typically speaking there are different brands of OPK’s that can detect different levels of the Hormone so to speak. A normal, healthy female would probably opt to use a OPK that detected 30-40 mI/U only because we have the Hormone constantly running through our system and would not want to yield a False Positive result using a lower sensitivity test. (In some cases though, you may need a lower sensitivity Test just depending on what YOUR “normal” concentration is that’s running through your body during non-peak times) – We on average, typically have anywhere from 1-20 mI/U prior to our Surge. You can find Tests that are 10-25 mI/U, 30-40 mI/U (which is considered average) and then the lower sensitivity Tests that can run up to even a 100 mI/U! (Again, I highly recommend NOT purchasing those Tests simply because according to some Consumer Studies it’s usually next to impossible to have a LH Surge that High in concentration!) You’ll more than likely yield nothing but Negative Results.

Once you’ve established the best brand, day, and time to start taking your Tests – a Good question most have is, “How Do I Read Them?” Here’s a few illustrations that may help you learn how to interpret the results.

If you’re using Test Strips, you may see packaging very similar to this:

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Image: www.dhgate.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak

This can be a bit confusing if you’re unfamiliar with how they work. This claims if there’s 2 Lines, it’s positive. Don’t be fooled though! Regardless of what kind of OPK’s you opt to use, essentially they all work the same way.

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Image: www.spermmeetseggplan.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak

A TRUE Positive Result, (unlike a Pregnancy Test) is when the Test Line is EQUAL TO or DARKER THAN the Control Line.

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Image: www.ovulation-calculator.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak

Here’s another good illustration:

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Image: www.opktests.com

And here is one displaying ACTUAL OPK Results:

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Image: www.babyornot.co.uk Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak

Some also opt to use a Digital Ovulation Test, to confirm the Midstream Test or the Test Strips Positive looking Results!

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Image: www.amazon.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak

You can’t go wrong with a digital. There’s absolutely no guessing involved although they are a bit more expensive. But if you happen to get a Blue Dye Test, you’ll understand WHY it may be a Good idea to FOLLOW up with a digital since they can be a bit harder to interpret. (You’ll have to check out my OPK reviews if you want some further insight with that subject).

Name Brand OPK’s that you can find in your local drugstore can be a bit costly. Some opt to use the Internet Cheapies known as “Test Strips” Because essentially you can buy a Big bundle of OPK’s and HPT’s for a small fraction of the price. If you like to Test frequently it can add up, and I’ve found over the years that it’s a much more cost-effective way to gain more insight into your Fertile Window each cycle.

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Image: www.fertilityties.com Graphics: Pee-On-A-Stick-Freak

Which (I might add) you can’t beat FREE! You have a great chance of winning a bundle of OPK’s and HPT Strips (on me) simply by “Liking” our Facebook Page – (PeeOnAStickFreak) “Following” our Twitter (@PeeOnAStickFRK) and lastly our Instagram (PeeOnAStickFreak) – The more referrals you have, the greater your odds are! All you have to do is have your friends/family members comment on each account stating WHO refered them! SIMPLE! I will be picking winners randomly and the ultimate prize is the bundle along with a $25 Gift Certificate to a restaurant of your Choice! GOOD LUCK!

Getting back to business (Ha Ha) when taking your Test, you’ll want to make sure that your urine doesn’t sit out for any length of time, and you also hold the Dip stick in your (CONCENTRATED) urine for at least the specified amount of time on the instructions. Otherwise I highly recommend dipping it for a full 5-10 seconds! Only Because you want to avoid under-saturating your Test and yielding a lighter Test line, and in some cases a False Positive Result! (Check out my OPK Experiments, Videos, and of course my Informational Tidbits) to my conclusions with those results! Also, I highly recommend waiting the full 5-10 mins before interpreting the results. You’ve got to keep in mind that OPK’s work a bit differently than your average HPT.

(Something else I just wanted to add which I also mentioned in my video) is when you purchase a pack of Midstream Tests, Cassettes or even Test Strips – you have to judge each Test individually! The reason I’m saying this is because different Tests have different amounts of Dye in them. You may have taken a Test yesterday (that came in the same pack) that had a very Dark CONTROL Line, whereas today’s Test has a very Faint one. No worries! Your Test Line (if positive) will reflect how light or dark your CONTROL line is. So if the CONTROL line is very light, as long as your Test line matches that or is a bit Darker than it’s considered positive! Same thing if the line is lighter, that would be considered Negative!

So with that being said, (Yes I know it’s a ton of information to absorb if you’re not familiar with these things) after a few cycles, you’ll get more familiar with it the same as you would with all of your other secondary fertility signs!

For a more, in-depth demonstration I made this lovely video showing you just how simple this can be but most of all BENEFICIAL! When you yield your first true positive result, don’t forget to DTD! (Do The Deed) also known as Baby Dancing!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI65KgxtHCc&w=560&h=315]

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New Choice OPK vs Equate OPK

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After multiple positive OPK’s and using 3 different brands, I decided to do a comparison with The Dollar Tree Brand (New Choice) and The Walmart Brand (Equate). Essentially a Pink Dye Test vs a Blue Dye Test! So, which one’s better?

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cHvXJNSsqQ&w=560&h=315]

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Positive OPK’s CD35 using a New Brand!

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Going on CD35, and 7 days of BLAZING POSITIVES with (First Response – 100m/IU according to consumer studies) The Dollar Tree Brand (New Choice – 25m/IU) I decided to get yet a 3rd Brand! Of course my DH (Darling Husband) went to the wonderful world of Walmart and bought their (Equate – 100m/IU according to consumer studies) Ovulation Midstream Tests. But Yeah, they were the HORRIBLE BLUE DYE TESTS! Eeeeeeek! (Another story for another day!) So I thought I would give them a try……….

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l30Vr7LeeAw&w=560&h=315]

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